Week 1: 09/04/08

The two teams that battled for the 2007 ADF East title took to the field with the Punchers franchise under new management and with a new brand name. The Punchers had pipped the Panthers to the Conference title last year with a surge that took the side all the way to the semi finals. Having reshaped what was a highly dysfunctional front office over the off-season, the team were clearly still getting used to their new expectations against a determined Panthers side.

A brief Riot held up proceedings momentarily before the off but when the whistle did go, the Panthers were out like a shot. Both Jimmy and Gaius Balthar notched their names onto the scorers chart before the Punchers had really even had a drive. The offensive prowess of the side backed up by the 2007 first overall pick, Ed whose crushing form of defense turned the Punchers over in midfield, allowing Balthar a relatively easy run in for the second score. The first had been a lightning fast pass play for Ed to open proceedings. The Punchers came very close to responding before the break but it was not to be as star man Yussef was tackled just a yard short of the end zone.

The second half was more of the same especially once an Assassin had prevented Daisy from penetrating the Punchers formation. Two more scores from Gaius Balthar confirmed the Panthers status as one of the pre-season favourites across the league though the Punchers did put up a decent fight. Frustration eventually conquered the visitors on their final drive, punting the ball away to end the game.

Yussef became the 8th player in history to reach the 100 receiving yards mark during the game. Gaius Balthar has now recorded 50 career dodges.

Star Thrower Learned Hand missed the game for the Punchers with a niggling injury.